Gaasbeek Castle

 castle, museum, heritage, listed building / architectural heritage, 16th century construction

Gaasbeek Castle (French: Château de Gaasbeek, Dutch: Kasteel Gaasbeek), today a national museum, is located in the municipality of Lennik in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium.
The fortified castle was erected around 1240 to defend the Duchy of Brabant against the County of Flanders. The castle was destroyed however by Brussels city troops in revenge for the assassination of Everard t'Serclaes, which was commanded by the Lord of Gaasbeek.

At the beginning of the 16th century the Dominium of Gaesbeeck was inherited by the House of Hornes; they constructed a brick castle on the ruins of the medieval fortress. In 1565 Lamoral, Count of Egmont, acquired the castle and its domain, including feudal rights in 17 surrounding villages. Accused of high treason by Philip II of Spain, the Count of Egmont was beheaded three years later.
Web: www.kasteelvangaasbeek.be